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Myself: CCNer w/ below-median but not terrible grades to best of my knowledge (think ~30th percentile). Slightly overbid in OCI, got 8 CB's (V5, V30, 2 V100 + 4 non-Vault) through combination of EIW and Fall Recruiting. Didn't really kill any of my CB's, except for one where I was on-hold forever and didn't make the cut b/c of grades I think. Blew 1 or 2, but overall interviewing was average. Ended up on hold at many places and came out with just the one offer.

Eventual goal: BIGlaw. Not just for the $ but for better exit opps (banking, in-house at a large public company, possible MBA at name-brand school). It's what I specifically came to law school to get.

Where things stand: Offer deadline coming up soon and I'm wondering whether to take the offer or wait out for something better in terms of this summer or for setting me up for mythical 3L OCI. My school has resumes out at a lot of firms that are still looking for people and specifically asked for resumes, and several have gotten jobs through them, although most thus far have been those with higher grades. None of those firms have called me for a screener or CB yet (possibly saying something about my competitiveness going forward). I'd also start a govt. job hunt, but of course, most of the "prestigious" govt. position deadlines have passed. No way I would want to end up doing public interest. Trying to figure out what my best shot for attaining biglaw is. I understand I'm lucky to have an offer in the first-place and biglaw is a slim chance at this point either for 2L summer or through 3L OCI, but that's not what I'd like to be the main discussion.

Choice 1: Take mid-law, kick-ass to get above median, and try to get biglaw through 3L OCI next year.Choice 2: Decline offer, keep trying to get biglaw for 2L summer, and if things don't work out, take some govt. position assuming I can get one, kick ass, and aim for biglaw through 3L OCI.

ajaj46 wrote:just outta curiosity, why id yourself as CCN then mention EIW? only one school uses that term

Us GeorgeTTTown folks aren't so good with deception apparently.

OP.....you hit a home run man. That's a great spot to be in. I'll be jealous when I'm rounding up desperately trying to meet 200 billables for the month and you're at home, collecting a higher per hour salary than most big law junior associates.

The only possible downside is exit options, but ITE you can't be THAT picky. Take this job and be grateful.

I think NYU is the only school that uses EIW, so I'll assume that's where you are. Why not apply to Stern for an MBA while there? I hear you don't even need to take the GMAT, and although it's not the highest ranked b-school all around it's excellent in finance and you can surely get a job on Wall Street with a JD/MBA from NYU.

Edit: also, it's a bird in the hand. It's not always so easy to get an MBA with legal work experience, so this might be your best/only good shot to get into a prestigious b-school.

You'd be a fool not to take the midlaw job. You will have to increase your GPA (way over median) anyway to have a shot at 3L OCI, and that will be easier without one more thing (job search) to worry about. Biglaw has largely wrapped up hiring by now.

Original poster here....of course I am heavily leaning towards the mid-law job, but its hard to let go of your dream (yes..biglaw), especially when it will significantly alter your long-term plans and goals. It's also hard when people with the exact same grades as you are just walking with the herd into a 145/160k job in NY that you actually wanted for reasons other than the fact that it's the easiest thing to do. I understand I f'd up somewhere and the world doesn't owe me anything, but that doesn't make it easier. I think I'm going to take this job and concentrate on my grades here on out, but please add on if you have more input.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm in your exact same position and have often contemplated the same question. I think we both know what the right answer is, but it would be really, really nice to hold on to the possibility of something great coming through for a little bit longer.

I have a few more days to decide and am going to hold out hope that some pending things come through before then, but if not, I'm going to graciously accept the opportunity I have and work as hard as I can to achieve my goals using alternate routes.

Totally ok to have a dream and be bummed about not being able to chase it, even if your other option is still great. However, we've got to be smart here. Good luck!

Anonymous User wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I'm in your exact same position and have often contemplated the same question. I think we both know what the right answer is, but it would be really, really nice to hold on to the possibility of something great coming through for a little bit longer.

I have a few more days to decide and am going to hold out hope that some pending things come through before then, but if not, I'm going to graciously accept the opportunity I have and work as hard as I can to achieve my goals using alternate routes.

Totally ok to have a dream and be bummed about not being able to chase it, even if your other option is still great. However, we've got to be smart here. Good luck!

I'm out of other options at this point, but I really hope something comes through for you! And if not, well...we could do much worse.

HamDel wrote:I think NYU is the only school that uses EIW, so I'll assume that's where you are. Why not apply to Stern for an MBA while there? I hear you don't even need to take the GMAT, and although it's not the highest ranked b-school all around it's excellent in finance and you can surely get a job on Wall Street with a JD/MBA from NYU.

Edit: also, it's a bird in the hand. It's not always so easy to get an MBA with legal work experience, so this might be your best/only good shot to get into a prestigious b-school.